In a splendid all-around display, star player Ellyse Perry’s historic six-wicket haul in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) guided Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a playoff berth, after a convincing seven-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in Delhi on Tuesday.
With this crucial win, RCB wrap up their campaign by finishing third in the table, tallying four wins and four losses, accumulating a total of eight points. They now set their sights on the eliminator clash against either MI or Delhi Capitals. MI currently occupies the second spot with five wins, three losses, and a total of 10 points.
Chasing a modest 114, RCB faced an early setback losing openers Sophie Molineux and Smriti Mandhana cheaply. Despite the early blows, RCB steadied themselves with Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine at the crease, reaching 39/2 at the end of the powerplay.
However, RCB lost Devine quickly, leaving them at 39/3. Perry then forged a vital partnership with Richa Ghosh, guiding RCB past the 50-run mark in the 9th over. At the halfway stage, RCB needed 55 runs to win.
Perry and Ghosh displayed resilience by reaching the 100-run mark in the 14th over, with Perry striking the winning boundary to seal the victory at 115/3 in 15 overs. Perry remained unbeaten on 40 off 30 balls, being supported by Ghosh’s 36* off 28 balls.
For MI, Shabnim Ismail, Hayley Matthews, and Nat Sciver each claimed a wicket.
In the first innings, Ellyse Perry’s extraordinary performance decimated the Mumbai Indians’ batting lineup, restricting MI to a paltry 113 runs. Perry’s six-wicket haul, a first in WPL history, showcased her immense talent and contribution to RCB’s success.
Batting first, Mumbai’s openers Matthews and Sajana provided a solid start, gathering 40 runs in 5 overs. However, Sophie Devine’s breakthrough ended Matthews’ aggressive innings at 26 runs. Perry’s crucial catch further bolstered RCB’s momentum.
Perry continued to wreak havoc, dismissing key batsmen including Sajana, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and Amelia Kerr, among others. Her fiery spell left MI reeling at 82/7 in 13 overs.
Despite some resistance from the lower order, Mumbai struggled to build partnerships, eventually being bowled out for 113 runs.
A comprehensive performance by RCB, led by Perry’s heroics, ensured a dominant win and a place in the playoffs, setting the stage for further excitement in the Women’s Premier League.
